Monday, December 30, 2013
100-Year-Old Photos From Antarctica
"100-Year-Old Box of Negatives Discovered by Conservators in Antarctica"
Almost one hundred years after a group of explorers set out across the frozen landscape of Antarctica to set up supply depots for famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, a box of 22 never-before-seen exposed but unprocessed negatives taken by the group’s photographer has been unearthed in one of those shacks, preserved in a block of ice...
Why Do Superheroes Wear Their Underwear on the Outside?
"Why Do Superheroes Wear Their Underwear on the Outside?"
Short answer: "DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz said that it was because comic book artists modeled their superheroes after wrestlers and circus performers of the time, who wear short shorts over their leggings."
Short answer: "DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz said that it was because comic book artists modeled their superheroes after wrestlers and circus performers of the time, who wear short shorts over their leggings."
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The Danger of Government-Managed Science
Nobel Laureate Randy W. Schekman: "The Danger of Government-Managed Science"
Key quote:
Key quote:
Many of you can recount similar stories where an investment in basic science has resulted in a direct application to medicine and technology. And yet we find a growing tendency for government to want to manage discovery with expansive so-called strategic science initiatives at the expense of the individual creative exercise we celebrate today.(Via Don S.)
Thesis In One Sentence
LOLMyThesis: Where students summarize their graduate thesis in one sentence.
A few of my favorites so far:
A few of my favorites so far:
It depends.
Law, Harvard University.
I melted the Earth and all I got was this lousy solidified magma ocean and a dense layer of gunk at the bottom.
Earth & Planetary Sciences, MIT
Look at this zombie. Isn’t it racist and sexist? Yes, it is.
English Literature, DePaul University
Rats like cocaine
Psychology, Reed College
It turns out that old people prefer old age homes full of young, attractive people Hospitality Management, Penn State University.
A History Of Leakers Of Secret Gov't Documents
"From Snowden To Manning... To Ben Franklin And Sam Adams? A History Of Leakers Of Secret Gov't Documents". (Via Howard R.)
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Ants That Can Flow Like a Fluid, or Move Like a Solid
NYT: "Ants That Can Flow Like a Fluid, or Move Like a Solid"
If you aren't creeped out by a glob-of-fire-ants, there's also a video at the link.
If you aren't creeped out by a glob-of-fire-ants, there's also a video at the link.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Why It's Nearly Impossible to Castrate a Hippo
"Why It's Nearly Impossible to Castrate a Hippo". (Via Alex Knapp.)
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tolkien Nerd on Smaug
"The Tolkien Nerd's Guide to 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'"
Update: Link was broken, now fixed!
Update: Link was broken, now fixed!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Light Posting Notice
Admin note: Posting will probably be lighter than usual the rest of this holiday week due to external obligations.
Monday, December 23, 2013
[Off Topic] Hsieh Forbes OpEd: Obamacare Spends 'Other People's Money' To Make Healthcare Expensive And Scarce
Off topic: Forbes has just published my latest OpEd: "Obamacare Spends 'Other People's Money' To Make Healthcare Expensive And Scarce".
I discuss 4 dangers of a health system based on spending 'Other People's Money' and how to avoid them. In other words, it's not just that the money will run out some day!
Those dangers include:
I discuss 4 dangers of a health system based on spending 'Other People's Money' and how to avoid them. In other words, it's not just that the money will run out some day!
Those dangers include:
1) Doctors will be increasingly expected to save money “for the system”Click through for the full text.
2) This will further fuel the nanny state
3) Health benefits will become increasingly politicized
4) Sooner or later, government spending Other People’s Money means the government taking your money
How To Build An Indestructible Gingerbread House
Civil engineers explain: "How To Build An Indestructible Gingerbread House"
Pre-Christmas Breakups
An economist explains why so many couples break up just before the Christmas holidays. (Via Ryan Sager.)
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Google Symptom Searches
"The #1 Google-searched symptom for 2013 was "pregnancy symptoms". "Influenza symptoms" was #2.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
I, For One, Welcome My Supercomputer Radiology Overlords
"Automated diagnostics: How supercomputers fit in radiology's future"
Thursday, December 19, 2013
USA Today on MRSA
USA Today has a detailed article on the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria: "Dangerous MRSA bacteria expand into communities".
We will be hearing much more about this issue in coming years.
We will be hearing much more about this issue in coming years.
British Library Adds One Million Public Domain Images to Flickr
"The British Library Adds One Million Public Domain Images to Flickr".
Here's the direct link: British Library.
Here's the direct link: British Library.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Burger Delivery Pneumatic Tubes
New Zealand restaurant to install pneumatic tube system to deliver burgers to diners at 87 mph (140 kph).
Click through to watch video. (Via VAViper.)
Click through to watch video. (Via VAViper.)
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Folding a Life-Size Origami Elephant Out of a Single Sheet of Paper
"Folding a Life-Size Origami Elephant Out of a Single Sheet of Paper"
Monday, December 16, 2013
LEGO Rivendell
"Tolkien's Rivendell comes to life with 200,000 LEGO bricks -- exclusive interview with builders Alice Finch & David Frank". Click through to see lots more images.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
A Closer Look at Google's New Robot Army
Meet your new overlords: "A Closer Look at Google's New Robot Army"
Last Meals
"The last meal offers an irresistible blend of food, death, and crime that drives a commercial and voyeuristic cottage industry."
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
The Back Story of the Russian Meteorite
"Scientists have pieced together the history of the space rock that slammed into the atmosphere over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk on Feb. 15, creating a shock wave that injured 1,200 people. It's a long, convoluted tale that picks up just after the solar system started coming together 4.56 billion years ago..." (Via Instapundit.)
Trickiest Tongue Twister
"Researchers at MIT may have come up with the trickiest tongue-twister ever"
iPad Mini Cover Also Lego Baseplate
"Here's a LEGO baseplate building surface for your iPad mini".
Fully compatible with Lego, also includes standard iPad sleep/wake magnets. And folds behind the iPad mini. Version for first iPad Mini already available, with Retina version coming soon.
Fully compatible with Lego, also includes standard iPad sleep/wake magnets. And folds behind the iPad mini. Version for first iPad Mini already available, with Retina version coming soon.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, December 09, 2013
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Saturday, December 07, 2013
AI Dystopian Book Review
James Barrat isn't very keen on our future robotic overlords.
Detailed review of his book, Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era.
Detailed review of his book, Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
MillionShort
"Imagine a search engine that simply removed the top 1 million most popular web sites from its index. What would you discover?" (Via Tyler Cowen.)
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Electricity Theft???
Man plugs in car at school external power outlet, arrested and jailed for electricity theft.
According to the article, he "stole" approximately 5 cents' worth of electricty.
Update: These additional details make the man look much less sympathetic. (Via P.B.)
According to the article, he "stole" approximately 5 cents' worth of electricty.
Update: These additional details make the man look much less sympathetic. (Via P.B.)
Reversible USB Plugs
"Next-gen USB plugs will be reversible, rectifying the tech industry's most heinous crime".
Some day, humanity will look back on the era of non-reversible USB plugs as a time of barbarity.
Some day, humanity will look back on the era of non-reversible USB plugs as a time of barbarity.
Air Gaps Not So Secure
"Scientist-developed malware prototype covertly jumps air gaps using inaudible sound".
NPR version of the story: "Even Disconnected Computers May Face Cyberthreats"
NPR version of the story: "Even Disconnected Computers May Face Cyberthreats"
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Was Vermeer's Secret The Camera Obscura?
"Vermeer's Secret Tool: Testing Whether The Artist Used Mirrors and Lenses to Create His Realistic Images". (Via H.R.)
Which Seat Should You Pick at the Movie Theater?
"Which Seat Should You Pick at the Movie Theater?"
From the article:
From the article:
According to Frey, the audio sweet spot is 2/3 back and in the middle. That’s where audio engineers sit to balance the sound, and where you’ll get the full effect of the chopper buzzing by or the building exploding.
Monday, December 02, 2013
Amazon Drone Questions and Skepticism
The Atlantic is fairly positive on the idea: "A Drone Delivery Expert Answers the Big Questions About Amazon's Plans"
IEEE Spectrum is more skeptical: "Amazon Promises Package Delivery By Drone: Is It for Real?"
IEEE Spectrum is more skeptical: "Amazon Promises Package Delivery By Drone: Is It for Real?"
Benford's Law And Multiple Choice Tests
"Benford's Law And The Art of Succeeding in Multiple Choice Tests"
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Courts, Tech, and Privacy
Some interesting tech-related issues are working their way to the Supreme Court, including searching laptops/electronic devices, compelled decryption, and location tracking.
Live-Tweetings Of Private Conversations Are Here To Stay
Forbes: "Why Live-Tweetings Of Private Conversations Are Here To Stay (And May Not Be A Bad Thing)"
Stuxnet Breakdown
Bruce Schneier notes: "Ralph Langer has written the definitive analysis of Stuxnet: short, popular version, and long, technical version"
Geeky Phone Cases
If you're looking for novel Christmas gifts, take a look at these geek-themed phone cases.
And if you use the coupon code "geekpress" during checkout, you will receive free shipping. (Note: I'm not receiving any kind of compensation for linking to his site.)
And if you use the coupon code "geekpress" during checkout, you will receive free shipping. (Note: I'm not receiving any kind of compensation for linking to his site.)
